Ravens View of Sunderland

Last updated : 01 November 2004 By Mark R

There were 17 of us and about 70 from the Sunderland London. I would say probably about another 30 Albion on the train so it was looking like a good turn out was on the cards.

We jumped onto the metro to Sunderland and we were soon in the Wetherspoons seeking more refreshment (dread to think of the amount of food, beer, wine and spirits consumed during our 8-11am train picnic!).

Next it was on to the Ivy House, a cracking pub near Sunderland coach station. At 2.30 we left, caught the metro to St Peters and soon joined the large queue for the away section. I asked the Police why there were only 2 entrances open and he said (as I think somebody already mentioned) Brighton told us not to expect more than 500. I was told we had sold more than that by Thursday lunch time!

Anyway about 10 minutes later we were in the impressive stadium and joined the mass ranks of Albion fans behind the goal. It's always difficult to judge a crowd in a half full massive stadium but I would guess at 1,400 Albion, and we certainly made some noise.

The Stewards spent 45 minutes trying to get people to sit down, they didn't ask us as we sat at the back. The issue of all seater stadiums is bugging a lot of people at the moment, me included, and we need safe terracing back in grounds.

As for the match, well we defended well, but the substitution of Jarrett for El-Abd turned the game for me, but saying that I doubt that we could have held out for the rest of the game.

We were very defensive and I had to say I thought Currie played more as a midfielder than a forward, perhaps the drink had more effect on me than I thought!

We were no threat up front, and once we went 1 down it was damage limitation.

The goal was a strange one.

Kuipers blocked a shot after Harding put in no challenge, the follow up was smashed against the bar and it fell kindly for Arca to place the ball home.

The second saw Harding beaten all ends up, he sticks out a leg inviting the player to run into him and over the leg for a penalty.

I asked the Steward as we left why they made us sit down, yet let the Sunderland fans to our right do as they pleased. "Not my job mate" said Steward S22 and then steward S10 joined in. She was a jumped up fool and I need to thank Liz and the others for getting me away from her as the rather large police horse standing behind me looked like it was ready to eat me for its dinner!

We were then directed to the stadium of light to get the metro back to Sunderland (we asked one policeman half way to the metro for directions and he said sorry no idea, which was helpful!).

When we arrived at the metro stop they told us that you cant get the Newcastle bound metro from that stop so would have to walk the opposite direction to the next stop, or alternatively join the massive queue heading back to Sunderland and then change and come back the other way!!!!

GRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

We just made the 17.50 back from Newcastle and just missed the 21.17 back to Worthing so headed to Brighton on the 21.32 to make the 22.53 coast train to Worthing, except it was late and we missed it by about 10 yards as we ran up the platform at Brighton.

Double Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

So it was the 23.14 to Hove to pick up the 22.17 from Victoria that we could have waited for! But then that was 15 minutes late due to a power failure in Timbuktu!

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Mark R

Roll on Derby - at least it's a but closer to home! I will be in the Brunswick (near the station) from just after 5pm if anyone wants to meet up for a beer!

I will be surprised if we have anymore than 700 there on Wednesday, a lot I know chose Sunderland as a new ground and missing Wednesday as cant afford both or time off!

Kuipers - 7 should he have done better with the 1st goal? Probably expect too much after his recent exceptional saves!

El-Abd - 8 great game, confused as to him going off

Harding - 5 bring back Mayo! Dreadful defending for the penalty

Cullip - 8 great display again

Butters - 8 as above

Hinshelwood - 9 superb match

Currie - 5 I think I was confused as to he was as to what he was meant to be doing

Carpenter - 6 was over run despite our defensive tactics

Oatway - 5 game passed him by again

Hammond - 6 solid battling display

Knight - 4 dreadful match, not involved and lost the ball easily many times

Jarrett - (for El-Abd 57 mins) 4 poor match, had no impact and looked lightweight

Hart - (for Hammond 71 mins) 6 we were well and truly on the back foot by the time he came on!


Mark R